When Chelsea offered up six players during talks over a swoop for Mohammed Kudus, Premier League rivals West Ham United appeared to turn their noses up at all of them.
Graham Potter had little interest in rescuing Jadon Sancho from his seemingly never-ending malaise.
Chelsea offered Robert Sanchez, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Tosin Adarabioyo, Axel Disasi and Trevoh Chalobah too. But, still, no agreement could be reached.
However, had Chelsea included Djordje Petrovic in those negotiations, perhaps this would have been an opportunity West Ham United were more inclined to take.
Hammers News understands that there is serious interest in Petrovic at the London Stadium. While neither Filip Jorgensen nor the aforementioned Sanchez really convinced between the sticks at Stamford Bridge last term, Petrovic was a revelation on loan at Strasbourg.
Labelled ‘world class’ by Strasbourg’s former Derby County and Hull City coach Liam Rosenior, he was a massive reason why the Alsace outfit qualified for the Europa Conference League.
There is an argument to be made, certainly, that Petrovic is actually the most talented of the various goalkeepers on the Blues’ books.
Yet, after Enzo Maresca confirmed that Petrovic is not even second choice at Chelsea these days, further reports emerging from Turkey only reinforce the feeling that all roads are leading towards a summer exit.
West Ham United given further boost in race for Chelsea’s Djordje Petrovic
The £25 million-rated Djordje Petrovic has been linked with French giants Monaco already.
Turkish Super Lig champions Galatasaray are another club who have made their interest known. And, according to one of the most reliable sources in the land, Petrovic has now been banished to the Chelsea reserves as Maresca prays for a resolution to what could yet descend into an unwanted transfer saga.
“Djordje Petrovic, who is on Galatasaray’s list, has been sent to the second team due to his attitude towards the club during transfer negotiations,” Yagiz Sabuncuoglu writes on his official X account.
“Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca wants the player to be transferred from the team as soon as possible.”
“Robert [Sanchez] is the number one, then Filip [Jorgensen is number two],” Maresca himself said this month, Petrovic left out of Chelsea’s roster for the Club World Cup.
“[Also, Belgian youngster Mike] Penders joined us. We’re going to see in the next weeks [what happens with our goalkeepers].”
Aaron Ramsdale and Noah Atubolu among West Ham’s goalkeeper targets
Hammers News understands that West Ham held discussions with Aaron Ramsdale’s camp a month ago. The England international has a relegation clause in his Southampton contract.
Furthermore, Graham Potter appears to be a big admirer of a man who fits his build-from-the-back approach.
West Ham have been linked with Noah Atubolu as well. The German glovesman produced a ‘world-class’ display as France were sent packing from the Under-21 European Championships on Wednesday.
Petrovic, then, is not the only shot-stopper under consideration.
However, boasting Premier League experience and coming off the back of the finest season of his career over in France, Petrovic certainly ticks a lot of boxes for a Hammers side who really cannot afford another summer of misjudged moves.
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